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News :: Miscellaneous |
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Update on Ahmed Bensouda |
Current rating: 0 |
by Friends of Ahmed
Email: jamusa (nospam) hotmail.com (unverified!) |
31 May 2002
Modified: 02 Jun 2002 |
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Ahmed Bensouda arrived home briefly today in chains accompanied by two INS officers...an international student and Palestine solidarity activist, he continues to be detained without charges and a deportation is threatened. |
MEDIA ADVISORY FOR ForIMMEDIATE RELEASE: 5-31-02
“Ahmed, We Love You, We Support You.”
The Second Official Statement From The Friends of Ahmed Bensouda Committee
“Ahmed, We Love You, We Support You!” was the chant Ahmed Bensouda heard as he arrived briefly at his home (205 W. High Street, Urbana, IL ) today shackled at the hands and feet accompanied by two Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) officers in order that he could pack one small bag of clothes. He was asked to do this while still in chains. He will be detained indefinitely under the premise of undisclosed charges.
Friends of Ahmed, his solidarity committee, found this out at 6:30 this morning as INS officers, Special Agents Tom D. Merchant and Stuart A. Kutz, were shocked to find as they opened his apartment door, a contingent for a fit welcome. They are both based at the INS office in Springfield, Illinois. This is where Ahmed is allegedly to be held. Lawyers for the family will confirm shortly the basis for his detention and threatened deportation.
Earlier reports that Ahmed was detained by the FBI were not totally without foundation. His landlord was first advised by those who came for Ahmed that they were FBI officers. After his initial arrest federal agents seized his computer files. There is reason to believe this is a campaign of political repression as Ahmed, an international student from Dubai, U.A.E., of Moroccan and Gambian ancestry, has been instrumental in building the Palestine solidarity movement in the USA and at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in particular.
While the INS officers were overwhelmed with chanting and questions, Ahmed,
we must report, showed little emotion. He appeared fatigued and to be the subject of intimidation. According to friends at the scene, he walked into his apartment as one who had been the subject of warfare. The officers expressed shock on their faces to be greeted with what they termed “a circus” and called for back up.
Imagine walking into your own apartment and being surprised by “a circus” of friends and family waiting for you. You might smile or show a startled look or be caught off guard and look scared like the officers. Ahmed initially walked by friends he’s known for years as if we were furniture. It clearly took some time for Ahmed to be debriefed, and express an awareness that he was not alone, that his fiancee and closest buddies were by his side, and were prepared to fight for his release. His overlords calmly insisted throughout Ahmed already had access to use of a phone to contact friends and family and would be so permitted again. Shortly, before Ahmed left us he stated calmly but firmly, “That is not true.”
We ask international concerned friends and family to begin preparing locally based Friends of Ahmed solidarity committees. A coordinated protest will be announced
shortly.
For further information contact Raana (in Urbana-Champaign) 217-201-1547, and in Chicago, Hadeel, at 217 766 5907 and Matthew, at 773-680-0376.
See our website at www.ucimc.org/ahmed |
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just a guess |
by benjamin franklin
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
31 May 2002
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Its just a guess, but reading this my guess would be that the INS will claim that Ahmed's student visa expired when he graduated. So they will claim that the arrest and detention is because he was in the country on an expired visa.
Of course, if he was an active republican supporter in favor of war and death, I'd doubt they'd move this fast.
I don't think I've ever met him, but from this it sure sounds like Ahmed is one of the good guys. So best wishes from far away, and I hope this all turns out well for him. And its good to see that he has so many friends to support him |
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what can we do? |
by a UIUC alumna
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
31 May 2002
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is there anything an average person can do to help? Is there a number or office we can call or email to express concern that Ahmed is being detained? I don't know if it would help, but it couldn't hurt for the INS to start getting a flood of calls in his defense. Does anyone know how to go about doing that? |
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The real story |
by andy m
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
31 May 2002
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This guy is here on a student visa and holds passports from both Gambia and Morocco (but not the UAE). He's only earned 9 credit hrs and hasn't been enrolled at U of I since the Fall 2000 semester. Despite claims to the contrary, he didn't graduate this Spring. Seems worth checking out. |
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We're watching |
by Adam Benedetto
benadamdetto (nospam) hotmail.com (unverified) |
Current rating: 0
02 Jun 2002
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All around the country we're hoping the FBI brings him back along with the other 700 "lost" people in this country. Good luck and keep up the good work with the indymedia center. Our Prayers are with you. Adam Benedetto WI Green Party. |
